Abstract

The Deep Impact active space experiment has been done to study a hypervelocity collision of a metal impactor with the nucleus of the comet 9P/Temple 1. In this work we present results of numerical modeling in comparison with corresponding experimental data. The modeling has been done with the use of 3D “finite‐size particle in cell” method. The computational setup corresponded to impact angle of 30 degree with respect to the horizon for different materials forming the surface of the comet nuclei, i.e. ice and sand. Conclusions are made for the possible composition of the comet.